NoCo brothers craft new barroom diversion

By Steve Graham

A few Colorado breweries and game rooms are offering Skeech, a new game that combines elements of skee ball, shuffleboard and “golf with your hands.”

Two northern Colorado brothers created the game, which was inspired by family trips to the coast. Skeech co-founder Zach Dowling credits his cousin with the name.

“It’s skee ball on the beach, so why don’t we call it Skeech,” he said.

At water’s edge in South Carolina, the family would roll bocce balls into two sets of holes to score points. Zack’s brother Josh then started devising an indoor version on a piece of plywood in his garage.

After more trial-and-error research with their kids and other players, they crafted an 8-foot by 20-inch maple and birch version with a smooth, flat plank down the middle, much like shuffleboard.

Players roll four small steel balls toward a triangle of holes at either end of the table, scoring one to five points based on difficulty.

The Dowlings sold the first table to a Georgia brewery in 2019, followed by several northern Colorado breweries. Zach said they typically offer a discount to breweries, as these public games are a good marketing tool. He said 10 people have ordered the game after playing less than five times each at the Georgia brewery.

“After playing it one time, for them to want it in their basement, that’s pretty sweet, man,” he said.

The game is also at one golf course clubhouse, where Zach anticipates a growing market.

“Golfers love our game because it’s kind of like playing golf with your hands,” he said.

Zach built the prototypes, but Longs Peak Cabinet Works in Loveland now crafts the tables.

Sales slowed during the pandemic when breweries and bars couldn’t host their regular gaming crowds, but Zach said they used the time to improve the product.

“It allowed us to really home in our table,” he said. “We’ve been doing a little more R and D.”

The next step for Skeech is a lighter, less expensive version that can be used at adjustable heights and carried into the back yard or to events.

Where to play Skeech in Colorado

Coopersmith’s Pub and Brewing, Fort Collins

TPC Colorado golf course, Berthoud

Prost Brewing, Fort Collins

Peculier Ales, Windsor

Intersect Brewing, Fort Collins

Steep Brewing, Keystone (coming soon)